Automobile headlight switch



6 1 927. 7 Sept B. F. SAVERY AUTOMOBILE HEADLIGHT SWITCH A Filed 061..- 1, 1925 Patented Sept. 6, 1927.

rennet earner caries.

BENJAMIN F. SAVER-Y, OF DEXTER, IJZIGHIGAN.

AUTOD'IOBIIiE HEADLIGHT S'WITCI-I.

. Ap'pl ication filed October 1, 1925. Serial No. 59,872.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in switch constructions, and it has reference to a switch which is adapted for-association with the spokes and rim of a steering wheel, the same being embedded in the rim at a convenient point, either on the left or right hand side, and connected in circuit with the headlight, and with an appropriate dimmer resistance element for permitting the headlight to be rendered dim or bright, as circumstances require.

My principal aim is to generally improve upon structures of this kind by providing one of comparative simplicity and durability which is compact, not likely to get out of order or become inoperative, such in construc tion that it can be installed without apprecialole alteration in the wiring system or steering wheel structure. a

More specifically, it is an object to provide a switch of this kind embodying a body of insulation material, thisbody being embedded in the rim, and carrying appropriately associated contacts with which a hand operated element cooperates, the contacts being so arranged and constructed as to provide a means for holding the operating member in either position to which it is moved, whereby to permit the bright lights to be maintained on, or the dim lights to be maintained, and to make for a ready and almost instantaneous change from one to the other.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and drawing.

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this application, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

Figure 1 is a-fragmentary top plan view of a portion of an automobile steering wheel showing the improved switch embedded in the rim thereof.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the switch proper.

Figure 3 is a side view of said switch.

Figure 4 is a detail elevational View of the hand operated member for controlling the bright and dim lights.

In the drawings, in Figure 1, the reference characters S designates one of the spokes of a conventional hand wheel, and R designates the rim thereof. As stated, the improved switch is embedded in the rim, and it may be either on the left or rightside, and

located at any part to suit an individual driver.

The switch comprises a body 1 of insulation material, either gutta-percha or porcelain. This body is formed with end extensions 2 and 3, the first named of which car'- ries a binding post 4, and the second named of which carries two binding posts 5 and6. These extensions are disposed on [a plane above the central portion, and this central portion is formed with a recess to accommodate the hand operated member indicated generally by the reference character 7. The member is pivotally mounted in the recess, as indicated at 8, and comprises a shank 9 of polygonal cross sectionand a finger grip 10 of suitable configuration and preferably of insulation material. While considering this operating member it should be noted that it is provided on one side with a metallic shoulder 11, and on the opposite side with a similar shoulder12. The shoulder 11 is of great or length than the shoulder 12. Moreover, a

suitable spring 13 is mounted in the body and cooperates with the operating member to push it in a direction to normally maintain the bright lights on. V

By directing attention to Figure 3, it will be seen that a relatively stationary contact strip 14 is connected with the binding post 5, and a relatively movable contact strip '15 is connected with the binding post l.

The ends of these two strips are overlapped and of the approximate shape shown. Then by referring to Figure 2, it will be seen that a third contact strip 16 is fastened to the binding post This strip is yieldable and has its free end of the shape shown in the figure last named' The shoulder 12 cooperates with the contact strip 16, while the shoulder 11 cooperates with the contact strip 15. In fact, these two shoulders act somewhat as cams. Suitable springs 17 cooperate with the strips 15 and 16.

In practice, the body 1 is seated in an appropriate recess formed in the rim R, and holes are bored in the rim to accommodate wires (not shown) which are connected with the several binding posts. Then a suitably designed face or cover plate 18 is fastened over the recess to hide the body and a strip of insulation is interposed between this plate and the rim as shown plainly in Figure 1. Both of these parts are slotted to accommo date the shank 9 of the operating member 7. The finger piece 10 projects beyond the need be same and constitutes lever which may be push-ed one way or the other to obtain the Hlllt included inthe last named wire,

The wiring systein will vary accordii to circumstances and no further description entered.

It is obvious that wvhcnthe operating lever Q? is in the substantially central or straight position shown in Figure 1 the shoulder 11 has engaged the Contact strip 15- and moves it away tromthe contact setrip l4, t her'eby leaving a gap and br-eaking the circuit between the wires connecting with the binding posts 4 and 6. I Atthe seine time the shoulder 12 has one; ed the strip 1 6, bringingthe resistance into play and providing dini lights, The spring pressure on the contact strip 1.6 holds the lever in this position. By striking the lever li with the thumb andinoving it in a direc troin left to right the contact shoulder 12 is disengaged from the striplG, and the two strips Hand 15 are brought into engagement to bring on the bright lights again. The relation of the contacts is suchthat the shift froin the bright to the dim lights may be made without a break and this a decided advantage over old and well known switches which permit a inonientary time be tween the change from bright to the dim lights whenno light is on.

A careful consideration of the description in connection with the drawing will undoubtedly enable persons "familiar with inventionsot this class to obtain a clear understanding of the same. For tl is reason, a niore lengthy description is thought unnecessary.

Vliile the preferred. embodiment. of the i1i ventionhas been shown and describe it is to be understood that minor changes coming; within the held of invention claimed may be resorted. to it desired. 7 v

Havin thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is As anew product of inanu't'acture, an auton'iobileheadliglit switch comprising; a body constructed for placement upon the rim or" a steering wheel andvhavingg' a central rccessed portion, three binding posts car d by said body, three contact strips associated with said body, there being; strip connected with each post; two (it said strips being arranged in longitudinal alirenient with each other and having inner adj Qcent ends directed angular-1y and in overlapping relatioin thev remaining strip having its inher end portion directed ahg'ul arly and located over the recess in said body. a pivotally mounted lever carried by said hodv and located in said recess, and contact shoulders on opposite sidcs of the central portion of the lever. said shoulders being formulated to provide cams for engagement with the angularly directed inner end portions of said strips. I

In testimony whereof I my signature.

BENJAMIN F. sAvn Y. 

